Our Premier Sale was held once again at Harrison & Hetherington, Carlisle where we had 431 entries with a split of 235 females, 181 males and 11 non-MV lots. This was a reduction in entries compared to last year which saw 644 entries (329 females and 315 males) and likely due to the increase in more dedicated breed sales across the UK now on offer. Consignments were presented from 69 Member’s flocks and the Society was delighted to welcome several new Members, selling at this particular sale for the first time.
The Show was judged by Mr Kevin McDermott, McDermott’s Flock, Co Donegal. The Female Championship and Overall Championship was awarded to Callum Dodd’s Hazelberry Heaven. Tipped by the Dodd’s as ‘the best Dutch spotted [they] have ever bred’, they weren’t wrong and she went on to top the sale at an incredible 18,000gns and was sold to Chris Johnston, Co Tyrone, of the Johnstown flock. This outstanding ewe lamb is out of Drumhirk Decider, who has bred females to 16,000gns, and out of Hazelberry Felicia.
Reserve Female and Reserve Overall Champion went to another ewe outstanding ewe lamb, Chris Johnston’s Johnstown Hetti. Hetti was always hotly tipped for success, her sister being the top priced female at Swatragh in August 2023. Hetti was sold for 2000gns and is joining the Middlemoor flock for Mr J Stead, North Yorkshire.
Fresh from winning the Male Championship at Welshpool the week before, this accolade once again went to Ali Jackson’s Tiptop flock, with Tiptop Harper getting the nod this time. Harper then went on to be sold for 1600gns to J Clark, North Yorkshire. Reserve Male went to another of the Dodd’s – this time, the shearling tup Hazelberry Gaffer. A Carlaustan Everest son, he is full brother to the 7000gn Hazelberry Fatboyslim.
Winning the shearling ewe class was Glan-Y-Mor Gift from the Jones Family – another flock that had also won at Welshpool the week before. Gift went on to be the highest priced shearling ewe and sell for 4000gns to Cath Difford, Glamorgan. 2nd place and 2nd highest priced shearling ewe was Lochlad Garland, a Hiroshima daughter, who went on to sell for 3500gns.
With the lamb entries being so colossal, they were split depending on age. In the older ewe lamb class, 2nd place to the eventual Overall Champion was Ali Jackson’s Tiptop Haile who was sold for 1400gns to Dumfriesshire. In the younger ewe lamb class, 2nd placed to the the Reserve Overall was ARP & DR Wilson’s Cnwch Hell of a Gal – certainly living up to her name. This Cnwch Emilio daughter reached 1500gns and is heading to join the Lochlad flock.
Winning the older section of the tup lamb class was Glencloy Halfwit for Liam Campbell. He was purchased for 3200gns for N&N Foster, Co. Durham. Taking 2nd place was Robbie Jackson’s Rigghead Hawkeye – another that has seen success in the showring this year. This was a special debut for Robbie who was present in the ring to sell his lambs. Hawkeye was sold to W Boyd, Dumfriesshire for 2000gns.
Topping the Aged Ewe trade was M Veith & E Harrison’s Coxhill Dainty selling for 1200gns to Sherwen & Sons, Cumbria.
Judge, Kevin McDermott said: “Congratulations to all breeders who brought forward sheep on the day, the quality in every class was exceptional. Well done to the society & H&H for a very well run show & sale. On the day the champion ewe lamb was the stand out sheep & is sure to have a massive future as a breeding ewe in the show ring next year. Thank you for having me.”
Posted: 11 September 2024
